THERE was a treat in store for Glasgow rally fans on a cold but sunny winter afternoon in 1959.

Organisers of the famous Monte Carlo rally pushed the start time at Blythswood Square back by 12 hours to 3pm instead of 3am.

And that meant thousands of enthusiasts turned up for a look at the cars, as today's picture shows, causing something of a headache for police, who battled to keep crowds at bay and traffic moving.

Drivers were besieged by autograph hunters until, at last, the starting flag was waved and the competitors set off.

The building in the picture was the headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club. It is now the Blythswood Square Hotel, whose stylish rooms feature black and white pictures of the Monte Carlo event through the years.